Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002B Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible: Florenza Marble & Granite Corporation does not implement feasible engineering and administrative methods and controls to limit employee exposures to respirable crystalline silica when polishing and grinding natural and engineered (quartz) stone slabs during fabrication of countertops. This was most recently documented on February 29, 2024, when: a) Three employees conducting engineered stone countertop grinding and polishing operations with angle grinders and stone polishers, are exposed to concentrations of respirable crystalline silica (quartz), ranging from 210 to 320 �g/m3, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average. These values exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3 by approximately 4 to 6 times. b) An employee conducting engineered stone countertop cutting operations with a bridge wet saw was exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica (quartz), of 180 �g/m3, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average. This value exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3 by approximately 3 times. See instance description in item 2a of this citation. General methods of control applicable in this circumstance include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Seek the expertise of a competent individual such as an engineer or certified industrial hygienist to obtain recommendations to implement appropriate controls including an effective local exhaust ventilation system and equipment with integrated water delivery system and prepare design documentation for the successful installation of recommended equipment. 2. Ensure that all equipment used for cutting and polishing operations is designed and equipped to function with appropriate engineering controls as designed by the manufacturer such as an integrated water delivery system or shroud with exhaust ventilation. 3. Perform periodic maintenance checks on any equipment with integrated water delivery system to ensure that the system, including water flow rates and dispersion is functioning as designed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. 4. Prohibit the use any work practices such as compressed air to clean surfaces and clothing that will re-entrain the silica dust. 5. Establish and implement an effective housekeeping program to ensure that all dust is promptly & regularly removed to prevent the accumulation of silica containing dust on horizontal surfaces. STEP 1: (a) Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented, or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to the respirable dust permissible exposure limits. (b) Implement a medical surveillance program by ensuring all exposed workers seek medical examination. This medical examination by a physician or a licensed healthcare provider shall cover all elements including medical and work history as outlined in 1910.1053(i). Abatement due by DATE. STEP 2: Submit to the area director a written, detail plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measure to control employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following action which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation. Abatement due by DATE. 1) Evaluation of engineering/administrative control options; 2) Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design; 3) Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures; and 4) Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls. STEP 3: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Abatement due by DATE. NOTE: All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. 30-day progress reports are required during the abatement period.